In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, describe each character's feelings towards Jewish people.

In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, specific characters' feelings towards Jewish people reflect their position on Nazism.

Boyne's book fits in the genre of Young Adult/ Historical Fiction. He does not emphasize how people of the time period were pressured into committing atrocities but resisted due to personal conviction. The book establishes a much clearer paradigm, tailor made for its audience.  Either characters are in support of Nazism or they are against it.  Ultimately,...

In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, specific characters' feelings towards Jewish people reflect their position on Nazism.

Boyne's book fits in the genre of Young Adult/ Historical Fiction. He does not emphasize how people of the time period were pressured into committing atrocities but resisted due to personal conviction. The book establishes a much clearer paradigm, tailor made for its audience.  Either characters are in support of Nazism or they are against it.  Ultimately, the book's moral paradigm is reflective of how characters perceive Jewish people.

Characters in the novel who displayed negative feelings towards Jewish people supported Nazism.  For example, since Lieutenant Kotler embraces Nazism, he views Jewish people as a means to display power.  In his actions towards Pavel, Kotler personifies the Nazi feelings towards Jewish people. Father's view towards Jewish people is connected towards career advancement. He continually justifies his move to and position at Auschwitz as "very important" in the Nazi structure.  His feelings towards Jewish people are linked to his job as a Nazi. He does not voice full-throated dislike towards people of the Judaic faith. However, his job is to advance "the final solution" when it comes to Jewish people.  His attitudes towards them are linked to his career's advancement. In much the same way, Gretel sees Jewish individuals as "not really human" because of her devotion towards Nazism. She sees Nazism as a way to gain social acceptance. Accordingly, a desire for popularity in Nazi circles forms her attitudes towards Jewish people.  

Characters in the novel who are not supportive of Nazism display supportive feelings towards Jewish people. When Bruno's grandmother chastises her son for the "terrible, terrible things you do," it is clear that she supports Jewish people because of her rejection of Nazism.  Bruno's mother reluctantly agrees to move the family to Auschwitz, but it is clear she is not in favor of what is being done to Jewish people.  She underscores this in her action of leaving Auschwitz with Gretel at the end of the novel.  Bruno befriends Shmuel, demonstrates respect towards Pavel, and dislikes Kotler.  These actions show support for Jewish people precisely because they repudiate Nazi ideology.